Would-Be Bank Robber Presents ID

Bungled heist lands man back in prison

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Wells Fargo & Co., which received $25 billion in taxpayer bailout money, is planning a series of corporate junkets to Las Vegas casinos this month.

Updated at 11:30 AM CST on Thursday, Aug 5, 2010

Most people probably get pretty good at their jobs after 30 years experience. Nathan Wayne Pugh, though, not so much.

The man’s criminal record dates back to 1980, and his most recent, probably most humorous, job occurred late last month when we tried and failed, failed hard, to rob a Wells Fargo bank branch in Dallas.

Summarizing, the teller asked how much, he produced a note that said he had a “bom,” she asked for his ID, he handed over his Wells Fargo debit card, she stifled a laugh, probably, and asked how much of a withdrawal, he said two grand, she asked for a second form of ID, nudged the teller next to her and rolled her eyes, maybe, he presented his state-issued ID, she handed over less than half the amount he demanded, he took it and the two forms of ID, spun to leave, and spotted a Dallas police officer or two.

That’s when he decided it’d be a good idea to take a hostage, a woman standing nearby with a child. She was having a bad day, probably, and wasn’t in the mood, so she beat him up.

The officers somehow managed to cuff Pugh even though they had to be laughing hysterically.

But don’t give up, Nathan Wayne. You keep practicing and eventually you’ll get the hang of it. Or not.

Bruce Felps owns and operatesEast Dallas Times, an online community news outlet serving the White Rock Lake area. He would never rob a bank but if he did he’d probably use the correct spelling of “bomb.” Probably.